It feels like not a day goes by without a new buzzy skin care ingredient popping up, sending beauty-lovers into overdrive. And while those of us devoted to skin care products have been familiar with the active ingredient retinol (the most popular form of vitamin A) for a while, I’m starting to see more and more products made with retinal, and have been curious to learn what, if any, differences there are between these two ingredients.
It turns out retinal is stronger and works faster than retinol to turn over skin cells, according to Dr. Deanne Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Connecticut and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. This is because after it’s applied, all retinol is first converted to retinal and then into retinoic acid before it works its magic on the skin. Since they are essentially skipping the first “step,” retinals have a faster, more direct route to getting to work.
Even though they “essentially work the same and have the same benefits to the skin, the key difference is the speed at which they work and how quickly you can expect to see results,” Mraz said. But this doesn’t mean that one is necessarily better or more effective than the other. She noted that while you may see results quicker with retinal, you may be better off with retinol if retinal is causing irritation and excessive dryness. Not all faces can tolerate daily use, and you may want to start with a gentler form of this popular ingredient that you can use more often.
“When it comes to skincare,” Mraz said, “consistency is key for efficacy, and it’s a matter of finding what works best for your skin — which can change seasonally and based on hormonal fluctuations.”
Mraz believes that all skin types can benefit from increased skin cell turnover, but it’s important to find the right strength product and accompanying skin care. “In general, oily skin types can tolerate stronger retinals... while dry, more sensitive skin types will do better with retinols or other chemical exfoliants like AHAs or plant-based bakuchiol,” she told me. As always, be sure to check with your doctor if you are using prescription medications to manage any skin conditions, or if you’re in an active rosacea or psoriasis flareup, before using products with retinol or retinal.
Below, we’ve curated a selection of both retinol and retinal products based on Mraz’s recommendations, editors’ picks and highly-rated products that consumers love. Each can help you achieve your skin care goals, all you have to do is pick the one that best fits your personal needs.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Retinal
An affordable high-strength treatment
This retinal serum was designed to be powerful and fast-acting without causing a major dent in your wallet. It was formulated to firm and smooth the look of your skin, while brightening tone, evening texture, and reducing the appearance of dark spots. One 43-year-old shopper said, “I can already notice the youthful radiant look from my skin and it’s also firmer with lighter dark spots!” while another called it a “a really effective retinol.”
A tightening serum that reviewers say really works
Editorial director Kristen Aiken said she started using the Celimax Retinal Shot after her prescription tretinoin (a powerful retinol) caused skin peeling, no matter what she tried, and instead opted for this Korean serum boasting a high dose of anti-aging ingredients, including retinal, which increases cell turnover and stimulates collagen production.
“I’ve found that the concentration of retinal in this Celimax formula is just enough to smooth out the texture of my skin, but NOT enough to make my skin peel, which gives a huge boost in self-confidence,” Aiken said.
Experts previously told us that the Celimax Booster contains a peptide combination designed to produce more collagen, and studies show that these peptides can modestly improve skin texture and wrinkles. Another key element of this lightwieght serum has to do with the way the product is delivered and absorbed into the skin, otherwise referred to as the “Shot” component of its title. The brand claims to use nano-particles that are 16 times thinner than pores and are uniformly sized.
The serum that convinced an editor to try retinal
I've long heard people rave about this highly rated serum from Medik8, and I'm not surprised. Everything I've tried from the brand thus far has been effective and left my skin looking and feeling great. This serum can help to address typical signs of aging like wrinkles, texture and tone quickly and efficiently. It's balanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep skin supple, soft, smooth and hydrated. It's a great mid-priced jumping-off point for anyone curious about trying a retinal.
Murad Resurgence Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment
If you're looking to make a big investment in your skin, then look no further than this nearly perfectly rated serum from Murad. It balances out the anti-aging powers of encapsulated retinal with ingredients like kangaroo paw flower extract that can help firm and smooth skin, along with olive, oat and alpha glucan to ensure a big boost of hydration and help to maintain and restore the skin's barrier.
A highly-rated serum with rave reviews
I am loving the price of this highly-rated serum from Naturium because it proves you don't need to drop an arm and a leg to get good skin care products. It uses sustained-release retinal that can help to refine skin texture and reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and even discoloration. It's the radiance booster you've been waiting for. This is the .05% concentration, but if you've used it for a while or know your skin can handle a stronger amount, you can always swap it or alternate it with the .10% version.
A dermatologist-preferred serum
Recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Deanne Mraz, this serum "combines the power of retinaldehyde, melatonin and bakuchiol with ultra-soothing ingredients, including niacinamide — together these actives renew, rejuvenate and revitalize the skin," she told me. It's not cheap, but if you're looking for a skincare splurge, it's definitely worth checking out.
A relatively affordable French pharmacy retinal cream
I'm a big fan of Avène products; this French pharmacy staple always knows how to strike the perfect balance between using tried-and-true potent ingredients and nourishing goodness to help keep skin looking and feeling youthful, soft and plump. This cream is no exception and can help to leave your complexion looking and feeling smooth, radiant, hydrated and fresh.
Retinol
A celebrity- and editor-beloved retinol
For those with sensitive skin, finding the right formulation can be a game of trial and error, but I’m pleased to report that Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform serum is the answer to our prayers. This celebrity- and beauty enthusiast-beloved retinol serum was recently reformulated with a slow-release, advanced 1% encapsulated retinol that can help to reduce common signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, dull or uneven skin tone and more — all without irritating even the most sensitive skin.
The formula also includes other powerhouse actives, like tripeptides to help speed up cell turnover and refine texture, while prickly pear extract supports all the ingredients, boosting exfoliation and cell renewal, leaving you with silky smooth, soft and hydrated skin.
This serum is an incredible option for those who are new to the retinol game as well as veterans like myself who want something that truly works but don’t want to jump back on the tretinoin bandwagon. If youre a retinoid newbie, I’d recommend adding it into your routine slowly (once or twice a week) and working your way up for best results without irritation. I would honestly pay double for it.
A French pharmacy staple that’s as good as it gets
If you’re a fan of French pharmacy beauty, then there’s a good chance you’ve heard of this cult-favorite cream. According to the brand, it uses .12% retinol that penetrates the skin and targets common signs of aging. Many reviewers recommend starting with a very small, pea-sized amount and make note of the cream’s thick, greasy finish — it’s definitely not for everyone, but those who love it are absolutely devoted to this French ointment. It can be challenging to find it stateside, so make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable seller with good reviews.
Amazon reviewer Jessica said she “ordered this after hearing about it from an aesthetician. It has a vaseline-type texture when it goes on. So a little goes a long way. You can definitely feel it tingling after you put it on. It works, but I personally cannot use it more than 2-3 times per week or my skin gets irritated. When I use it regularly, my hyperpigmentation is much better and so are my fine lines and wrinkles. It is definitely worth a try, but if you have sensitive skin, I recommend you start with a small amount and only once or twice a week at most!”
A retinol night oiI
I've raved about this sleeping oil before and I'm doing it again. It's an absolute game-changer. I happen to be obsessed with using Luna oil in conjunction with Sunday Riley's Good Genes; it's a powerful duo that leaves me swimming in compliments and glowing skin. If you’ve been on the fence about trying an oil or retinoid, then this is the perfect place to start. Soothing botanicals like blue tansy and German chamomile are paired with an advanced retinoid ester that supports skin health and elasticity, evens out redness and fights fine lines and wrinkles. Avocado seed oil plumps up the skin and delivers a healthy dose of antioxidants. It doesn’t clog pores, which is perfect if you are acne-prone like me. It's my favorite retinol delivery method.
A powerful retinol cream combined with chemical exfoliants and nourishing ingredients
"I love Skinbetter Science’s AlphaRet Overnight Cream," Mraz told me. She added that "it combines retinoid with lactic acid and glycolic acids to exfoliate the skin and pairs those benefits with soothing, nourishing peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C + E making the formulation gentle enough for most skin types, including those prone to dryness."
A highly recommended SkinCeuticals retinol
According to Mraz, you can't go wrong with SkinCeuticals Retinol, which comes in three strengths (.3%, .5% and 1% concentrations). "This is a great option for anyone who needs to downshift to a gentler strength in the cold, dry winter months and turn up the volume [spring through fall]," she recommended. It's a great way for first-time users of retinol to enjoy the benefits while still protecting the skin from potentially irritating side effects.
An editor-fave serum from a trusted brand
This popular Sunday Riley retinoid serum is beloved by HuffPost shopping writer Tessa Flores. She previously shared that it’s “composed of a retinoid ester, encapsulated retinol and retinol-alternative extracts derived from blue-green algae, all of which can impart the texture-improving wonders that retinol is known for without overwhelming the skin and causing irritation."
She went on to explain that the formulation includes COQ10, an antioxidant that targets the appearance of sun damage while two different humectants soothe redness and draw moisture into the skin. She added, “After using this product consistently for two months, I’m noticing a significant reduction of my keratosis pilaris in that the texture is smoother, less red and with fewer clogged hair follicles. I’ve also noticed less congestion in my T-zone, fewer sun freckles, and an overall increase in skin plumpness — all without those telltale signs of retinol-induced irritation.
A treatment that combines both retinol and bakuchiol
Before I made the switch to prescription retinol, I was devoted to this Paula's Choice treatment. It uses a trio of ingredients — retinol, bakuchiol and peptides — to help firm up, hydrate and smooth skin, leaving it feeling soft and youthful. I was obsessed with how soft it left my skin and how quickly I noticed results. Like the rest of the brand's lineup, it has a permanent spot in my heart.